More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

Earl of Leicester

(Robert Dudley, c.1532–88, earl 1564)The first favourite of *Elizabeth I and the one she came nearest to marrying, even sounding out diplomatic opinion on the matter in 1561. This was soon after the mysterious death of Dudley's wife, Amy Robsart, who broke her neck falling downstairs – an event which made a royal marriage possible and yet probably out of the question, with the inevitable rumours of murder. A speculative account of the incident provides the plot of Walter Scott's novel Kenilworth. It was at *Kenilworth in 1575 that Leicester lavished upon the queen the most spectacular entertainment of her reign. With a few ups and downs he remained in favour to the end of his life.